10/31/18
Vitoria-Gastiez, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol grabbed the first leg of their Round of 32 match in the Copa de Espana over Deportivo Alaves, 2-1 on Wednesday evening in Northern Spain. Carles Alena started in the midfield and rewarded his manager with a goal and assist while earning Man of the Match honors.

Alena had a golden opportunity early on to score as he split the Alaves defense, but defender Ruben Duarte tripped Alena just outside of the box and was sent off. Leo Baptistao's free kick from 19 yards out sailed just wide of the right post. Carles Alena would get Espanyol on the scorbaord just minutes later as he took a pass from Emmanuel Boateng and placed it into the top right corner to make it 1-0.

Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco would keep them in the match, absolutely stoning Alena in the 73rd minute with a spectacular save. But minutes later, Alena setup up Damia and he slipped one into the net to make it 2-nil to give Espanyol some cushion.

Deportivo Alaves would get one back late as Jack Wilshire scored in the 87th minute. That would be it for the scoring as Espanyol takes a 2-1 aggregate lead back home for the second leg of the Round of 32 tie on December 4th.

Espanyol returns to La Liga action on Saturday as they will return home for the first time in four weeks as they host Athletic Bilbao (3-2-4, 11 pts), who currently sit in 13th place in La Liga.

11/3/18
Barcelona (AP) - RCD Espanyol's struggles at home continued on Saturday evening as Athletic Bilbao scored an equalizer late to pull out a 2-2 draw at RCDE Stadium. Aritz Adurez sent a cross into the box that Benat headed off of the left post and in past a diving Diego Lopez to earn Bilboa a big road point.

The teams played a scorless opening 45 minutes, but both teams had chances. Leo Bautistao knocked one off the wordwork in the 32nd minute. Gorka Guruzeta headed one over the cross bar in the 36th minute for Bilbao's best chance.

Gorka Guruzeta would make good on a chance in the 55th minute. Oihan Sancet found Guruzeta inside the area and Guruzeta made no mistake, burying one past Lopez.

Espanyol wasted no time finding an equalizer. Sergi Darder found Carles Alena just inside the area and he sent a right footed shot into the top left corner in the 57th minute. Alena was once again menace, nearly missing moments later grazing one off the crossbar from just outside the box.

Alena would setup Pablo Piatti in the 80th minute with a gorgeous through ball to send Piatti in all alone. He made no mistake and knocked it in off of the left post to put Espanyol up 2-1.

But the Periquitos could not hold on, and Benat tied it in the 90th minute.

Oscar Melendo had a chance to send the home crowd home happy in the closing moments, but his rocket shot just grazed the outside of the right post as time expired.

Sergi Darger earned MOTM honors, but it could easily have gone to the young sensation Carles Alena, who had a goal and assist.

Espanyol outshot Athletic Club 9-6 and had a big advantage in possession, but again had to settle for the draw. Espanyol in now just (1-1-3) at home, securing just four out of 15 possible points, but they sit at (5-3-3, 18 pts) overall and currently sit in 6th position in La Liga. Athletic Bilbao fell to (3-3-4, 12 pts) and is mired in 15th position.

Up next for Espanyol is a trip to the south to Seville to take on Sevilla next Sunday evening. Sevilla sits in ninth place at (4-3-4, 15 pts).

11/11/18
Seville, ESP (AP) - Espanyol's undefeated streak away from home ended on Sunday evening as they fell 3-1 to Sevilla FC. Wesley led the charge for Sevilla, scoring twice as Sevilla drew even in points with Espanyol.

Espanyol had a couple of great chances early in this one but did not capitalize. Pablo Piaati knocked one off the outside of the post in the 10th minute. Carles Alena cracked one off the top of the crossbar in the 18th minute.

Sevilla, outplayed for the first 20 minutes, somehow unlocked the Espanyol defense in the 21st minute. Jesus Navas passed the ball into the box with Mattia Destro running over the ball as Wesley one-timed it past Diego Lopez to put Sevilla up 1-nil.

Pablo Piatti would knock another one off the post in the 37th minute and Luis Garcia absolutely robber Carles Alena form the top of the six in the 45th minute as Sevilla went to the break up 1-nil. Espanyol has 12 first half shots, with eight on target.

In the 56th minute, Leo Batistao misplayed a ball deep in his own end, and it cost Espanyol. Jesus Navas took the ball away and crossed it in with Quincy Promes heading it in to put Sevilla up by two. Minutes later, Navas would pick up his third assist as he sent one in to Wesley, who finished with his brace to make it 3-nil.

Espanyol would get one back late as substitute Emmanuel Boateng slid one home in the 80th minute, but all in all it was a disappointing night in southern Spain for Espanyol. They dropped to (5-3-4) on the campaign as they prepare to return home to face Girona.

11/24/18
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - Espanyol returned home after the international break and found its way to three points with a 2-1 victory over Girona. Carles Alena, having been a first choice central midfielder since early in the season, did not disappoint again as he earned Man of the Match honors. The 20-year-old has played beyond expectations since arriving from rival Barcelona back in August.

Estaban Garnero would get Espanyol on the board in the 22nd minute, taking a pass from Javier Puado and splitting the defense before putting it in past Yassine Bounou.

Just under seven minutes later, Girona would get a highlight reel goal as Christhian Stuani scored on a bicycle kick off of a cross from Daniele Baselli to tie the match at 1-1.

Girona outshot Espanyol 6-3 in the opening half and had the better of the chances as the teams went to the halftime break tied at 1-1.

Christhian Stuani almost gave Girona the lead in the 53rd minute, heading one just over the bar.

In the 64th minute, Sergi Darder gave the ball up to Oscar Melendo. He dribbled from the top of the box, past a defender and placed the ball into the top left corner just out of reach of Yassine Bounou to put Espanyol up 2-1. It was Melendo's sixth goal on the campaign.

Christhian Stuani had a great chance to equalize in the 67th minute, but Edu Frias got a hand on his shot to tip it over the bar. Sergi Darder then picked up a second yellow card in the 76th minute and was sent off. Espanyol had to pack it in and was able to hold off Girona for the final quarter hour to earn full points.

Yeah, Barcelona is (1-1-3) in their last five after starting (8-0-0). We have them coming up after our Copa de Espana tie against Alaves. I am not too familiar with La LIga, but I am enjoying this. Is the Espanyol-Barcelona rivalry big? How about Espanyol-Girona?

After the Coup de Espana....we have home matches against Barcelona and Real Betis and a road trip to Atletico Madrid, three of the top four in La Liga.

12/1/18
Madrid, ESP (AP) - Espanyol scored early, then sat back and tried to absorb the Getafe pressure in a cold, driving rainstorm on Saturday evening in Madrid, but the home side got a late equalizer to earn a point. Inaka Williams took one touch off of a header from Francisco Portillo, then blasted it past Diego Lopez near the end of injury time to earn Getafe a huge point.

Leo Baptistao put Espanyol in front just seven minutes into the match as he volleyed a cross from Pablo Piatti past a helpless Ruben Yanez. Yanez would then make a huge save just minutes later on Piatti as he shot from just outside the six yard box.

Getafe appeared to get on the front foot after that save from Yanez and dominated the final half hour of the opening half. Jaime Mata would get robbed by the ageless Diego Lopez in the 27th minute to keep Getafe off of the board. Mata would get another chance in the 37th minute, but Lopez would get a left hand on a shot to deflect it just wide of the post.

Getafe held a rare possession advantage in the first 45 minutes, holding the ball for 52% of the time. They outshot Espanyol 8-4.

Budding young star Carles Alena had a chance to put Espanyol up by two in the 61st minute, but his left footed shot from just inside the penalty area grazed just off the top of the crossbar.

Jorge Molina then thought that he tied the match as he knocked one off the inside of the left post as the ball bounced back across behind Diego Lopez but somehow stayed out.

Espanyol parked the bus over the final 20 minutes, just hoping to escape with a 1-nil victory and it appeared to work, but a turnover deep in Getafe territory in extra time turned into a counter-attack. Sebastian Chistoforo sent a long pass to Francisco Portillo who head one high into the box. Inake Williams ran onto it, touched it once, then blasted it past Lopez to tie it up in the closing moments to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

Getafe outshot Espanyol 18-5 and a 55-45% possession advantage. Leo Baptistao was named the Man of the Match in the draw.

Up next for Espanyol is the second leg of their Round of 32 Copa de Espana tie at home against Deportivo Alaves. Espanyol claimed a 2-1 road victory in the opening leg back in October.

Barcelona, ESP (AP) - Carles Alena was awarded the La Liga Player of the Month for the month of November. The 20-year-old who recently arrived in August from Barcelona has been more than anyone could have imagined. He has been a first team choice since early September and shows no signs of giving up his spot in the midfield. In November, Alena had a goal and an assist in three matches earning Man of the Match honors in a 2-1 win over Girona FC.

12/4/18
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - Deportivo Alaves got a late equalizer at RCDE Stadium on Tuesday evening, then scored two late goals in extra time to stun RCD Espanyol 5-3 on aggregate to win their Round of 32 tie and advance in the Copa de Espana. Franco Di Santo scored in the closing moments of injury time as he headed a free kick past Edu Frias to give Alaves a 2-1 lead and tying the tie 3-3 on aggregate, sending the teams to extra time to find a winner.

Espanyol looked to be in control as Carles Alena got open in the box, took a pass from Javier Puado, and calmly placed it in the left corner in the 4th minute to put Espanyol up 3-1 on aggregate. Manager Raul Tamudo went with a line-up mostly of reserves ahead of a huge La Liga matchup on Saturday against Barcelona.

Alaves would find an equalizer in the 21st minute as John Guidetti blasted one past Frias to pull them within a goal on aggregate. Moments later, Carles Alena once again got free in the Alaves box, but this time Fernando Pacheco robbed him.

Late in the half, Pacheco would make another great save, this time on Javier Puado, to keep Alaves' hopes alive. Young midfielder Davia fired one just over the bar in the 56th minute for Espanyol.

Franco Di Santo sent a beautiful through ball onto Ruben Sabrino behind the Espanyol defense in the 72nd minute, but Edu Frias managed to deflect the shot over the bar.

Javier Puado had a chance to seal it in the 89th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced out.

That set the stage for the late match heroics for Di Santo. It was setup when Lluis Lopez was shown a yellow card for a hard tackle near the touch line in injury time. Di Marco got into position and redirected the free kick with a header past Frias to give Alaves a 2-1 lead and more importantly tie the match at 3-3 on aggregate with both sides have two away goals.

In extra time, both teams looked to be playing for penalty kicks. Finally in the 112th minute Ibai Gomez sent in a cross that Ruben Sabrino volleyed past Frias to give Alaves the stunning lead. They would add another just three minutes later to seal it as Jack Wilshire one timed a perfect pass from Sabino to make it 4-1.

Espanyol returns to La Liga action on Saturday with the Barcelona Derby against Barcelona.

12/8/18
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - When Raul Tamudo took over as manager of RCD Espanyol earlier this year, he said it was going to be a new beginning. He didn't want to talk about the past, especially when dealing with rival FC Barcelona. On Saturday evening, it looked a lot like the past as FC Barcelona dominated Espanyol and left RCDE Stadium with a 2-nil victory.

Barcelona came out and pressed Espanyol into early mistakes. Luis Suarez got free in the box in the third minute, but Diego Lopez came up with a huge save to keep it scoreless. In the 11th minute, Phillippe Coutinho sent in a cross that Espanyol defender Oscar Duarte tried to head away. But the ball deflected into the center and Malcolm was there to head the errant clearance past Diego Lopez to give Barcelona the lead.

Luis Suarez hit a howitzer from outside the area in the 23rd minute that Lopez had no chance to stop, but it hit off the woodwork and the score remained 1-nil.

Espanyol finally showed some life offensively in the 30th minute as former Barcelona product Carles Alena sent a long ball that Emmanuel Boateng ran onto. He got off a shot that Marc-Andre ter Stegen had little trouble stopping.

The teams went to halftime with Barcelona holding a 9-3 advantage in shots with Luis Suarez taking six of them with four on target.

Diego Lopez made a huge save on Malcolm in the 70th minute to keep Espanyol alive despite Barcelona's complete domination in this one.

Espanyol's best opportunity to score came in the 80th minute as substitute Sergio Garcia dribbled along the touch line, then passed it to the top of the six where Emmanuel Boateng's left footed shot grazed the outside of the left post.

Moments later Malcolm sent a long ball down the center that Barcelona substitute Lionel Messi ran onto. He split the defense and easily beat Lopez to make it 2-nil and seal another Barcelona victory over Espanyol.

"We weren't good enough today. We decided to pack it in defensively to try and absorb Barcelona's punches today, then spring the counter attack, but we do not have the speed yet to carry out this plan," said a dejected Raul Tamudo afterwards. Espanyol's newest star, Carles Alena, and maybe a key figure in the future of this rivalry, was pretty good and probably Espanyol's best player, but he had just one shot in the match.

Espanyol's brutal December schedule continues next Sunday at home as they host Real Betis, who currently sit in third place in La Liga behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

12/16/18
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol's home woes continued on Sunday evening as they dropped more points at RCDE Stadium, falling to Real Betis 3-2. Sergio Leon scored twice just before the half and Takashi Inui scored once and assisted on one as Real Betis took three points and sits in a solid third position in La Liga as we approach the halfway mark of the 2018-19 campaign.

Real Betis is having a fantastic start in La Liga this season and is positioning themselves for a Champions League berth. They were just eliminated from the 2018-19 Europa League after the group stage, going (2-0-4).

Espanyol got off to a pretty quick start in this one, dominating the first 35 minutes on the match. Estaban Granero had a great chance in the sixth minute that Joel Robles was able to stop. Carles Alena just missed wide of the left post in the 23rd minute on a free kick from 21 yards out. Espanyol's best early chance came in the 27th minute as Granero blasted a rocket off the inside of the left post. The rebound came to the foot of Emmanuel Boateng, but his shot was somehow stopped by Robles to keep the match scoreless.

Carles Alena teed one up from near the penalty spot in the 32nd minute that Robles was able to deflect over the bar for a corner. On that corner, Alena sent in the cross and Emmanuel Boateng got his head to it, sending it into the far corner of the net to put Espanyol up 1-nil. They outshot Betis 8-1 in the opening 35 minutes.

But the tide of the match turned as the teams approached halftime. Betis' Takashi Inui ran down a ball in the corner, and sent in a cross that Sergio Leon headed in off of the crossbar to level the match. Minutes later, in injury time, Inui sent in another cross that saw Diego Lopez run into defender Naldo as he tried to punch the ball away. The ball popped up short into the air and Sergio Leon was there to head it into the empty net to give Real Betis an improbable 2-1 halftime advantage in a match in which they we being completely dominated.

Emmanuel Boateng would have a great chance to equalize in the 57th minute, but Joel Robles again came up big, getting a hand on the ball to deflect it wide.

Takashi Inui then sealed it in the 64th minute as he got his head onto a cross from Francis, and put it in off of the far post to put Real Betis up 3-1.

Espanyol would have their chances late though. Carles Alena was stopped on a left footer blast just inside the box in the 78th minute. Sergi Darder would setup Leo Baptistao in the 90th minute. Baptistao dribbled to the right side of the box and cracked one into the left side past a helpless Robles to pull Espanyol to within 3-2.

Espanyol outshot Real Betsi 13-8 and held a slight possession advantage. Cales Alena picked up an assist and was named Man of the Match in the loss.

Real Betis improved to (11-1-4, 34 pts) on the campaign and sits just three points back of FC Barcelona. RCD Espanyol fell to (6-4-6, 22 pts) and sits in 9th place. More troubling is that they are just (2-1-5) at home, collecting just seven points out of a possible 24. It does not get any easier either as they will travel to Madrid on Friday night to take on Atletico Madrid (11-3-1, 36 pts) who sit in second position and have allowed a La Liga best 11 goals in 15 matches this campaign.

12/21/18
Madrid, ESP (AP) - It appears as though the antidote for what ails RCD Espanyol is playing away from home. On Friday night, Espanyol came up with a Herculean effort and came away with full points in a 1-nil victory over Atletico Madrid at a sold out Wanda Metropolitano. Leo Baptistao beat Jan Oblak in the 55th minute to provide the only scoring in the match and Espanyol was able to keep a clean sheet for just the second time this season as they took down second place Atletico.

Atletico Madrid dominated possession and had plenty of great scoring chance in the opening 45 minutes. Antoine Griezmann was just about uncoverable. He had a great chance to put Atletico in front in the 27th minute, but Diego Lopez came up with a big left handed save. Erick Aguirre then sent one over the bar in the 34th minute.

Espanyol's best scoring chance in the opening half came in the waning seconds as Estaban Granero hit one just over the bar. Atletico outshot Espanyol 7-2 in the opening half and held a big possession advantage, something that Espanyol usually leads in.

Just about ten minutes into the second half, Estaban Granero took the ball away in the Atletico half, passed to Carles Alena, who sent a perfect long pass to Leo Baptistao, who was in all alone on Oblak. He hit a solid right foot past Oblak and Espanyol had a stunning 1-nil advantage. Espanyol seemed to gain a ton of confidence from that goal and Pablo Piatti almost doubled their advantage in the 61st minute as he got behind the Atletico defense and hit one just wide on the short side after beating Oblak.

Espanyol then dug in defensively and looked to ride out the final 25 minutes. They kept their shape and did not give up many good scoring chances. Atletico's best opportunity came in the 79th minute when Thomas Lemar got free in the right side of the box and tried to place one in the right corner, but the ball hit the woodwork and bounced harmlessly out of play.

Atletico Madrid's loss was jus their second on the campaign. They outshot Espanyol 12-4 and held a healthy possession advantage, but could not unlock the guests.

Espanyol improved to (7-4-6, 25 pts) as they hit the Christmas break. Atletico Madrid fell to (11-3-2, 36 pts) and dropped to third behind Barcelona and Real Betis. Espanyol returns from the break on January 5th at home against last place CD Leganes.

Barcelona, ESP (AP) - Carles Alena was awarded the La Liga Player of the Month for the month of December. It was the second straight POTM award for the 20-year-old central midfielder. Espanyol struggled in December, going (1-0-2) against some very tough competition, facing the top three sides in La Liga, but Carles Alena's play stood out.

He was Man of the Match in a home loss to Real Betis and ended the month with two assists. Through 17 match days, he leads La Liga with six assists

1/5/19
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol's struggles at home continued on Saturday afternoon, but they were able to slip past last place CD Leganes 3-2 to escape with full points in the first game after the Christmas break. Newly acquired Irish striker Sean Maguire had an immediate impact, scoring twice in the opening ten minutes in his Espanyol debut.

CD Leganes stunned the RCDE Stadium crowd early on as Loren headed home a cross from Alexander Szymanowski in the third minute to take a 1-nil lead.

Carles Alena made a perfect short pass to Sean Maguire in the box. He one timed the ball into the top right corner in the 6th minute to level the match. Four minutes later, Espanyol sent a long ball into the corner and Angel Sanchez centered a ball that Sean Maguire one-timed with his left foot past Ivan Cuellar to give Espanyol the lead.

Espanyol, playing mainly second choice players, did not dominate this game as was expected. Leganes carried play and had some great chances. In the 34th minute, Lisandro Magallan got free in the box and headed one just over the bar. Edu Frias made a big save on Loren in the 45th minute to keep Espanyol in the lead heading into the half.

Espanyol would extend their lead in the 63rd minute as Marc Rosa setup Angel Sanchez in the box and Sanchez calmly beat Cuellar to put Espanyol up 3-1.

Alexander Szymanowski headed one over the bar in the 70th minute after some sloppy marking on the back end by Espanyol. That sloppiness resulted in a second Leganes goal in the 90th minute. Shoya Nakajima split the defense and found the back of the net to cut the Espanyol to 3-2 in the dying moments.

CD Leganes outshot Espanyol 14-8, but could got find an equalizer. The win was just Espanyol's third home win on the year, but they improved to (8-4-6, 28 pts) overall and moved up into 7th spot in La Liga. Leganes fell to (2-5-11, 11 pts) and remains in 20th place, five points behind Real Valladolid and seven points from safety.

Espanyol now heads north for two games in the Basque Autonomous Community against Real Sociedad on Sunday and SD Eibar next Saturday.

1/13/19
San Sebastian, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol won their third straight match for the first time this season on Sunday evening with a 2-1 victory on the road over Real Sociedad. Emmanuel Boateng scored twice as Espanyol moved back into a Europa League spot as the La Liga season reaches the halfway mark.

Real Sociedad had a couple of great chances to take the lead early on. Mikel Oyarzabel sent in a cross that Adnan Januzaj headed just wide in the ninth minute. Oyazabel sent in another cross minutes later that Willian Jose volleyed off of the woodwork, but the game remained scoreless.

In the 19th minute, Carles Alena made a slick pass to Sergi Darder, who cut back, then slipped the ball into Emmanuel Boateng. Boateng placed it into the right corner of the net to give Espanyol the 1-nil lead.

Boateng would return the favor with a gorgeous pass to Darder in the 28th minute, but Darder's shot was somehow kept out by Sociedad keeper Geronimo Rulli. Minutes later, Darder setup Mario Hermoso near the top of the box, but his left footed shot sailed wide left. Espanyol took a 1-nil lead into halftime and was outshot 7-6, but Sociedad had just one on target and it was not a quality chance.

Estaban Granero took a beautiful pass from Sergi Darder in the 56th minute, dribbled into the box and floated one that was just tipped over the bar by Rulli. Darder had a great game, recording an assist and putting players in position to make plays all evening.

Real Sociedad would finally unlock the Espanyol defense in the 61st minute with their first real scoring opportunity and they did not waste it. Willian Jose got his head on a cross from Juanmi, and powered it past Diego Lopez to level the match at 1-1.

Espanyol did not waste any time retaking the lead. Six minutes later, Oscar Melendo sent a long ball down the flank to Pablo Piatti. He dribbled to the touch line in the penalty area, drew two defenders, then floated a perfect ball to Emmanuel Boateng to tap home to give Espanyol the 2-1 lead.

Espanyol would then lock it down defensively to finish off their third consecutive win. Real Sociedad would outshoot Espanyol 10-9, but only had two on target for the match, with possession being about equal.

Espanyol (9-4-6, 31 pts) will travel to Eibar on Saturday to take on SD Eibar (5-5-9, 20 pts). Espanyol won the first meeting back in September 3-2 at RCDE Stadium.

1/19/19
Eibar, ESP (AP) - Espanyol came into their match at SD Eibar carrying the best road record in La Liga at (6-3-1). On Saturday evening, SD Eibar dominated Espanyol on their way to a 3-nil victory, sending them to just their second road loss on the season.

SD Eibar came out and pressed Espanyol making then uncomfortable from the start in a steady cold rain. Pedro Leon had a chance to put Eibar up in the 13th minute, but his shot sailed just over the bar. **** Garcia then was robbed from in close in the 18th minute by a great save from Edu Frias. Moments later, a Roberto Rosales errant header in his own penalty area, led to Eibar's opening goal. Diego Laxalt controlled the ball, then volleyed it past Frias, who had no chance.

Espanyol's best chance to score in the opening half occurred in the 25th minute. Sergi Darder dribbled in unmarked and hit a left footed shot that Marko Dmitrovic stretched and got a hand on to deflect wide.

Diego Laxalt almost increased Eibar's lead in the 33rd minute, but his shot went just wide of the right post. Eibar outshot Espanyol 9-1 in the first half with four shots on target.

Espanyol was frustrated all night long by Eibar's constant pressure and could never get comfortable. They had very few chances, but they did have one good one in the 81st minute. Emmanuel Boateng passed back to Sergi Darder, who dribbled in and hit a rocket that somehow Dmitrovic got a hand on to deflect wide.

Moments later, Eibar came down with Pedro Leon crossing one into the middle and **** Garcia getting on the end of it and heading it home to put Eibar ahead 2-nil. They would add a Marc Cardona goal in injury time to rub a little salt in the wounds.

SD EIbar would outshoot Espanyol 12-7 with Diego Laxalt earning Man of the Match honors. He had four shots, one on target, a goal and an assist.

RCD Espanyol fell to (9-4-7, 31 pts) and saw their season high three match winning streak end. SD Eibar broke a five match losing streak to improve to (6-5-9, 23 pts). Up next is a home match against third place Real Madrid (12-4-4, 40 pts). Espanyol defeated Real Madrid 2-1 back in September in Madrid.

Still a great season, although the team still seems irregular at moments, which doesn't allow the team to fight for higher goals. Considering the level of the team, a UEL spot is a fantastic achievement.

1/26/19
Barcelona, ESP (AP) - RCD Espanyol's struggles as home continued on Saturday evening as they dropped a 3-1 result to powerful Real Madrid. Newly signed Ciro Immobile scored twice for the victors as they improved to (13-4-4) on the season, and avenged an early season home loss to Espanyol.

Real Madrid dominated this one from the start, controlling the ball and keeping their shape nicely on the back end, holding Espanyol to just one shot in the opening half, and that one was not on target.

Ciro Immobile had the best chance in the opening 20 minutes with a shot just wide of the left post in the 18th minute. Toni Kroos then took the ball away from Carles Alena, worked a beautiful give and go with Lucas Vazquez, and his left footed shot skipped in past a diving Diego Lopez to put Real Madrid up 1-nil 24 minutes in.

Espanyol's only chance of the half was an Estaban Granero volley just over the bar in the 26th minute.

Real Madrid would then turn up the heat late in the half. Immobile fired a rocket just wide in the 34th minute. Vinicius Junior dribbled into the box, crossed it and Immobile jumped over Hermoso and headed it in past a diving Diego Lopez in the 37th minute to put Real up 2-nil.

Immobile and Vincius Junior would work a give and go in the box in the dying moments of the opening half with Immobile finishing to put the visitors up by three.

Espanyol would get one back in the 58th minute. Osacr Melendo back healed a pass to Sergi Darder. He passed it into Borja Iglesius, who beat Keylor Navas, placing it into the top right corner. But that would be it for Espanyol as Real Madrid held possession and controlled play the rest of the way.

Real Madrid would outshot Espanyol 14-3, including 6-1 shots on target. Real remains in third place in La Liga with 43 points. Espanyol fell to (9-4-8, 31 pts) and sits in 7th place, one spot out of a Europa League spot.

Up next, it doesn't get any easier for Espanyol as they will head to the Castellon province for a matchup with fifth place Villarreal CF (11-5-5, 38 pts). Villarreal won at RCDE Stadium back in October, 3-1.

Deadline day came and went and it was not a quiet day on the home front as Espanyol was busy, but not as some expected. Instead of being a buyer at the deadline, Espanyol bid farewell to some aging veterans as two starters, and a reserve were sent on their way, with another signed away with his contract set to expire.

The big shocker was the transfer of 36-year-old keeper Diego Lopez. Lopez transferred to SC Braga in Portugal for $2.35M. Lopez had been a first team choice in 19 of Espanyol's 21 matches this campaign. Manager Raul Tamudo said he felt that Edu Frias had made great strides and that made Lopez and his contract expendable. Tamudo is looking towards the future and he feels that the future starts now for Frias.

Central defender Naldo was transferred to Basaksehir in Turkey for $6M. The 29-year-old was sharing playing time recently with 21-year-old Lluis Lopez. Another move with an eye towards the future.

Reserve fullback Didac Vila was sent to Independiente in Argentina for $2.6M, and Javie Lopez, a reserve fullback nearing the end of his contract has decided to sign with Amiens SC in France when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Espanyol did sign a backup keeper as 35-year-old free agent Sherif Ekramy, from Egypt signed a one-year deal to backup youngster Edu Frias.

Around La Liga:

While Espanyol was a seller at the deadline, the big clubs in Spain were big spenders. Real Madrid brought in Sergio Aguero from Manchester City for $108M after bringing in Ciro Immobile from Lazio for $83M just two weeks ago. Barcelona was not to be outdone as the purchased midfielders Mesut Ozil from Arsenal for $70M and Thiago from Bayern Muchen for $69.6M.

Atletico Madrid at the top of the table added 25-year-old central midfielder Thomas Partey from Juventus for $61M.

2/3/19
Villarreal, ESP (AP) - Espanyol earned a well deserved point on Sunday evening as they played to a scoreless draw at Villarreal CF. Villarreal dominated the match, but could not unlock the Espanyol defense.

Villarreal outshot Espanyol 16-5 with five of those being on target including a great chance in the dying moments of the match as Santi Cazorla dribbled into the box and sent in a cross that Karl Toko-Ekambi headed towards the goal. Edu Frias made a spectacular save knocking the ball over the bar to preserve the point.

Espanyol, La Liga's leakiest defense worked hard this week in training to tighten up their back end and it showed as they were able to limit the very good scoring chances.

The offensive end has been a problem now for the past few weeks as Espanyol has managed just one goal in their last three matches combined. They did have a couple of nice opportunities, both setup by Carles Alena. In the 50th minute, he made a nice pass to Pablo Piatti sprinting in from the wing, but his shot was just off target. Then in the 79th minute, he sent a great through ball that Piatti ran onto, but his hard shot sailed just over the bar.

Manager Rual Tamudo talked about the changes made this week and how he sees the team moving forward. "This week we made decisions aimed towards the future. You saw tonight that we have tremendous confidence in Edu Frias and he rewarded us with a clean sheet. The team as a whole played well, and earning a point in this place is a tall order."

Up next for Espanyol (9-5-8, 32 pts) is a return home on Saturday as they take on Rayo Vallecano (7-3-11, 24 pts).